Amusement apparatus



Aug.19,1969 LH'ALA; 3,4s2,14

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1965 001mm? 17/04 /741 I) United StatesPatent 3,462,140 AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Ivan Halaj, 476 W. 5th St., SanPedro, Calif. 90731 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 199,745,

June 4, 1962. This application May 5, 1965, Ser.

Int. Cl. A63g 1/12, 1/00 U.S. Cl. 27233 1 Claim The present invention isa continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 199,745, filedJune 4, 1962, and now abandoned, and relates to an amusement apparatusof the round-about, carrousel or merry-go-round which may be easily andeffectively propelled as by the occupants riding on the apparatus.

Merry-go-rounds have long provided entertainment for both children andadults by transporting them in a recurring circular pattern. These ridesfor use in amusement parks are normally motor-driven and very elaborate.However, various types of merry-go-rounds have also been designed to beused freely by a few children, as on school grounds, public parks andhome play yards. Many of these smaller units have been designed to bepropelled by the riders. For example, the riders may pull or push therevoluble part of the merry-go-round, until considerable speed isattained, then leap on the ride until the kinetic energy is dissipated.Some merry-go-rounds of this type may be sustained in motion to someextent by the occupants pumping. However, the difiiculty in general,with such occupant-propelled rides, is that the riders are noteffectively disposed to propel the ride apparatus and it soon comes torest and therefore provides a relatively short ride in view of theamount of work required from the riders.

Another type occupant-propelled merry-go-round includes a mechanicaldrive coupled to handles or other apparatus, which may be pumped orotherwise reciprocated by the occupants to propel the ride. For example,the handles for the occupants may each comprise a lever to bereciprocated by the occupant, the levers being coupled to mechanicalapparatus for converting their reciprocating motion to circular motionto drive the ride in a circular pattern. Merry-go-rounds of this typeare normally quite expensive, and in view of friction losses, theoccupants usually tire rapidly from the exertion required to propel theride.

In general, the present invention provides an economical structure forsupporting a revolving load, as in a merry-go-round, which is extremelyefficient in operation. The riders are disposed at the ends of spokesradiating from a central hub which is supported for rotation in a planeoffset from the horizontal. The riders are supported on seats withraised handles and lowered foot rests so that the riders are somewhatelongated, as a result, their natural balancing movements in the planein which the spokes move, produces forces which propel the roundabout.Furthermore, the structure of the present invention may incorporate twoseparate rotational hearings in the hub structure which are mounted withintersecting axes of rotation and spaced apart in an olfset supportcolumn about which a load is revolved. That is, as the merry-go-roundincludes spokes mounted to be revolved about a support column located ata central axis of the platform, the support column may include a firstsection which may be supported upon a base to be generally verticallydisposed, however, providing an end section which is offset from thevertical. The support column may then carry a second section which isnon-linear and is rotatively coupled to the first section as by ahearing. A third section of the column may then ride on the secondsection and carry the platform or other load, to be rotatively carriedon the second section as by a bearing.

ice

Another important feature of the invention resides in the manner inwhich the occupants are carried in a sitting position with extendinghand and foot supports such that the occupants face the direction oftravel and are somewhat-elongate. This arrangement facilitates theweight shifts by the occupants which serve to propel the merrygo-round.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved means forsupporting a load for axial rotation as in a merry-go-round.

Another object is to provide a gearless merry-go-round which is-moreefficient in operation to be propelled by balancing motions of theriders.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedoccupant-propelled merry-go-round in which the riders are disposed toeffortlessly propel the unit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide anoccupant-propelled merry-go-round wherein the occupants may attainrelatively-high speed, and sustain such speed as aresult of somewhatinstinctive weight shifts.

One further object of the present invention is to provide a safe,efiicient occupant-propelled merry-go-round which can be economicallymanufactured and maintained.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparentfrom a consideration of the following taken in conjunction with thedrawings forming part of this application, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a me'rry-go-round constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the apparatus ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a diagram illustrative of the operation of the structurethereof;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing an alternative structuretherefor;

FIGURE 5 is another view similar to FIGURE 2, showin g anotheralternative structure therefor.

Referring initially to FIGURE 1, there is shown an occupant-propelledmerry-go-round including a support column C in an upright position andsupporting spokes V which are joined at a hub H above the column C torevolve about the column. The axis of rotation of the arms or spokes Vis offset from the vertical so that the plane of rotation is offset fromthe horizontal.

The ends of the spokes V remote from the column C carry seats S whichsupport riders facing substantially in the direction of travel, andwhich include perpendicularlyextending handles and foot rests. Thismanner of carrying the riders in conjunction with the plane of rotation(as considered in detail below) results in a combination whereby theriders may start from a near dead still position, accellerate to aconsiderable speed, and maintain that speed indefinitely, simply byshifting their weights appropriately. Furthermore, the weight shiftswhich propel the unit generally coincide to the instinctive and naturalbalancing motions made by the riders. As a result, after speed isattained, the ride may be perpetuated with virtually no conscious effortby the riders.

Considering the structure of FIGURE 1 in greater detail, the supportcolumn C includes a vertical section 10 which may comprise a piece ofpipe or other tubular metal of adequate strength. The section 10 of thecolumn C is held in a support stand 12 including a central collar 13which concentrically receives the column and is rigidly affixed to fourradiating braces 14. The braces 14 are tubular in form and define obtuseangles, so that sections 14a lie fiat on the ground (or other support)while the sections 14b extend upward therefrom, rising to the collar 13.The apexes of the braces 14 are each fixed to one end of twoperpendicular horizointal rods 15 which extend 3 through the lower endof the section 10 to reinforce the support stand.

Joined to the upper end of the vertical section 10 is avertically-offset section 16 which is telescopically received in the hubH mounted for relative rotation.

Various hub structures incorporating a central rotary cylinder 17 areconsidered in detail below with reference to FIGURES 2, 4, and however,each supports the radiating spokes V, the ends of which carry the seatsS. In the structure of FIGURE 1, the spokes include pairs ofperpendicularly-mounted tubular cross members 18 and 19 so thatsubstantial one half length of each extends from the cylinder 17 toprovide four arms 20 in substantially quadrature relationship. Each ofthe arms 20 are provided added support by tubular braces 21 extendingfrom a collar 22 fixed at the lower end of the rotary cylinder 17 inquadrature displacement and extending to be effixed to the arms 20 atlocations below the seats S.

The central hub structure is shown in FIGURE 2 to include a shaft 16aextending upward from the section 16, integral therewith but angularlyoffset, at some angle (between 20 and 30 degrees, specifically some 25degrees has been found particularly effective). The shaft 16a carriesball bearings 23 on annular shoulders formed therein which enable lowfriction rotation between the shaft 16a and the cylinder 17. The upperend of the cylinder 17 is capped by a plate 25 which is fixed, as bynuts and bolts, to the cross members 13 and 19 along with a cover plate27 carrying a hub cap 29. Thus, the arms so formed by the cross pieces18 and 19 can revolve freely in a plane offset from horizontal.

The seats S supported at the ends of the arms 20 remote from the axis ofrotation each include a saddle 26, an elevated handle 28 and a lowerfoot rest 30. The saddles 26 may be formed of various lather-typematerials, or simply comprise bucket seats stamped or otherwise formedof metal. The saddles 26 are afiixed to the ends of the arms 20 inupright positions as by being welded, riveted or by set screws or othermeans; however, the connection is made through three tubular memberswhich support the handles and foot rests. Specifically, fasteners 31extend through the saddles 26, two tubular members 28a curved to extenddownward and one tubular member 30a curved to extend upward. The lowerends of the members 28 then receive a rigidly afiixed, perpendicularlyextending across bar or foot rest bar 3% while the upper ends of thetubular members 29 receive the perpendicularly extending handle bars281;. Of course, other types of seat means may be provided inconjunction with the other elements of the present invention; however,it is important to provide seats which distribute the riders weight onfoot rest and handles, and which orient the riders facing in a directionsubstantially coinciding to the direction of travel, i.e., tangent tothe actual direction of travel. These considerations go to thepropulsion of the ride.

Considering the operation of the system and the manner in which it ispropelled, reference will now be had to FIGURE 2. Although the detailedresolution of all the involved forces in not readily apparent, a majorpropelling force results from the side to side movement of the riders asthey travel the horizontally offset circular path. That is, with theseat configuration of the system, each riders body is asomewhat-elongated, distributing his weight generally perpendicular to ashaft 20. At the top of the orbit or circular path, the rider tends tolean outward to preserve his upright balance. Conversely at the bottomof the path, he leans inward, again to preserve his upright balance. Asa result there is an opposed distribution of weights so that theelevated riders weight may be considered to be acting on a lever arm ofgreater length than the lever arm of the lower rider. This unbalancetends to propel the riders with sufficient momentum to reverse theirpositions and initiate another cycle.

It is to be noted that this action requires that the riders be supportedon seat structures which somewhat elongate them, e.g., seats, handlesand foot rests. Furthermore, that the riders face in the direction oftravel and have perpendicularly extending hand and foot rests. Thisconsideration results because people are not inherently off balance whenthey lean forward or backward, but they are so when they lean or aretilted sideways and will instinctively correct such displacernent.

In FIGURE 3, the structure of the present invention is illustratedsomewhat diagrammatically by a horizontallyoffset cross bar line 31shown to be centrally supported by an upright vertical line 32. Theseats of the unit are represented by I-shapes 33 and 34- at the ends ofthe line 31. The extremes of the I-shapes represent handles and footrests in analyzing the applied forces. In operation, the rider in theelevated position on I-shape 34 tends to straighten up and apply hisweight to the foot rest and handle as indicated by the load arrows 35,so that his weight may be considered to be concentrated at the spot 36.However, the rider in the lower position on the I-shape 33 tends tostraighten up by leaning inward thereby applying his weight to handlesand foot rests as indicated by arrows 3'7 and concentrating his weightas indicated by a spot 38.

In the above analysis, it is apparent that the spot 36 is more remotefrom the point of rotation 39 than is the spot 38. As a result, there isan unbalance of forces with the result that the elevated riders weightis of increased effect to raise the weight of the rider in the lowerposition producing an endless cycle.

Of course, the situation in actual use of the apparatus seldom involvesa perfect balance between riders; however, the unequal forces resultingfrom the applied weights will accommodate considerable variation andstill permit effective propelling by unconscious balancing weight shiftsof the riders, and their inherent natural desire to have their bodysomewhat vertically upright, i.e., not tilted. It is to be noted thatthe hand and foot rests in cooperation with the fact that the riders areseated to face in the direction of travel is exceedingly important tothe effective operation of the system.

Operation of the system in some applications may be rendered even moreeffective by alternate hub structures. Considering such a structure,reference will be made to FIGURE 4 showing a sectional view through thehub H. In general, the operation of the unit in an occupant-pro pellingmanner results from having the axis of rotation for the riders offsetfrom the vertical. However, the structure may produce more effectivemotion by including two sets of bearings mounted on the support columnC, with crossing axes of rotation. For example, in FIGURE 4, the basesection 10 of the support column C is affixed, as by welding to a secondsection 49 of the column C which section is offset from the vertical andcomprises a lower hub 50. The lower hub 50 carries two sets of ballbearings 52 and 54 which mate with shoulders inside the hub 50 andreceive a downwardly extending spindle S6 affixed to a central irregulardisk 58. The bearing 52 is held in position by a shoulder 60 in the hub5t and the disk 58, while the bearing 54 is held between a shoulder 62in the hub 50 and a nut 64 threadably engaged on the lower end of thespindle 56.

The upper surface of the disk 58 is angularly offset from the plane ofthe lower surface of the disk 58, and receives an upwardly-extendingspindle 66 similar to the spindle 56. The spindles 56 and 66 as well asthe disk 58 may be integrally formed of steel or other rigid material.

The spindle 66 rides in two sets of ball bearings 68 and 70 which aresupported in an upper hub 72 in a similar fashion to the lower bearings52 and 54. A nut '74 threadably engaged on the upper end of the spindle66 serves to hold the bearings in position and maintain the hubs as anintegral unit.

The upper hub 72 carries cross sections aflixed thereto as the arms 20,which extensions serve to support the riders.

In the structure of FIGURE 4, it is important to note that the axes ofthe various sections of the support column C are offset. The firstsection at the base has an axis indicated by line X which issubstantially vertical. The axis of rotation of the lower hub 50 isidentified by the line Y and may be seen to be offset from the vertical.The line Z defines the axis of rotation for the upper hub 72 which isnot only offset from the vertical, but is also offset from the axis Y.Of course, the axis X may be made to coincide to axis Y if additionalsupport is provided.

An important consideration regarding this structure appears to reside inthe provision of one axis of rotation offset from the vertical, uponwhich is supported first and second bearing means with axes of rotationwhich cross. The upper bearing means may then support the cyclingstructure of the merry-go-round and in certain applications provide anextremely effective occupant-propelled ride.

In using the merry-go-round as described above, the integral unitcomprising the disk 58 and spindles 56 and 66 tends to move somewhatindependent of the position of the hub 72. It appears that this integralunit tends to move to place the heaviest person on the ride at thelowest point in the cycle. However, the integral unit never appears toaccomplish such an equilibrium condition.

In using the merry-go-round of the illustrative embodiment, it isusually desirable to have at least two persons. Weight similarity ordifference does not appear to be particularly significant. If only twooccupants are to ride, they should take diametrically-opposed seats. Theaddition of a third occupant does not hamper the ride to anyconsiderable extent.

It is readily apparent that a variety of other mounting arrangements maybe employed to accomplish the offset axes of rotation Y and Z. One sucharrangement is shown in FIGURE 5 and will now be considered in detail.The lower first section 10 of the column C has a lower spindle 74 Weldedthereto at an angle offset from the vertical. The spindle carries a pairof ball bearings '81, as previously described which in turn support alower hub 82. The hub 82 is welded to an upper hub 84 at an offsetangle. The upper hub 84 contains bearings 86 which support an upperspindle 88 to which the cross bar arms are afiixed. In the structure ofFIGURE 5 it is apparent that the hubs 82 and 84 are joined so that thebearing means they contain have offset axes of rotation. Therefore, thedesired action of efficient, effortless occupant-propelling results fora merry-go-round incorporating this structure.

The above considerations and descriptions thus indi- 6 cate exemplarystructures of the present invention which results in an economicalpractical occupant-propelled merry-go-round which operates effectivelyand does not require effort from the users.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent;however, it is to be understood that the present invention is notlimited to the structure of the disclosed embodiments, but rather shallbe determined by the claim set forth below.

I claim:

1. An occupant propelled, gearless carrousel, to be driven by weightshifts of the occupants, comprising:

a post means having an upper end and a lower end;

support means including a support stand for holding said post means in asubstantially vertical position, said upper end above said lower end;

ofiset means affixed at the upper end of said post means and including ahub support angularly offset from axial alignment with said post means;

bearing means including at least two spaced apart sets of bearings,mounted on said hub support for rotation relative said hub support;

at least one pair of radially-extending diametrically opposed spokes,joined to said bearing means whereby to rotate about an axis that isangularly offset from true vertical; and

at least one pair of seat means affixed at the ends of said spokes, eachof said seat means including a saddle affixed to the end of one of saidspokes, a handle including a first shaft means extending upward fromsaid saddle to receive the hands of an occupant and foot rest meansincluding a second shaft means extending downward from said saddle toreceive the feet of an occupant, whereby said occupant propel saidcarrousel by weight shifts resulting from side-toside movement of saidoccupants on said seat means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,690,590 11/1928 Molby 272-501,791,227 2/ 1931 Russell 272-51 X 3,066,935 12/ 1962 Roberts 27233FOREIGN PATENTS 1,115,688 1/1956 France.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner A. W. KRAIMER, Assistant ExaminerU.S. Cl. X.R. 272-51

1. AN OCCUPANT PROPELLED, GEARLESS CARROUSEL, TO BE DRIVEN BY WEIGHTSHIFTS OF THE OCCUPANTS, COMPRISING: A POST MEANS HAVING AN UPPER ENDAND A LOWER END; SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING A SUPPORT STAND FOR HOLDINGSAID POST MEANS IN A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL POSITION, SAID UPPER ENDABOVE SAID LOWER END; OFFSET MEANS AFFIXED AT THE UPPER END OF SAID POSTMEANS AND INCLUDING A HUB SUPPORT ANGULARLY OFFSET FROM AXIAL ALIGNMENTWITH SAID POST MEANS; BEARING MEANS INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO SPACED APARTSETS OF BEARINGS, MOUNTED ON SAID HUB SUPPORT FOR ROTATION RELATIVE SAIDHUB SUPPORT; AT LEAST ONE PAIR OF RADIALLY-EXTENDINGDIAMETRICALLYOPPOSED SPOKES, JOINED TO SAID BEARING MEANS WHEREBY TOROTATE ABOUT AN AXIS THAT IS ANGULARLY OFFSET FROM TRUE VERTICAL; AND ATLEAST ONE PAIR OF SEAT MEANS AFFIXED AT THE ENDS OF SAID SPOKES, EACH OFSAID SEAT MEANS INCLUDING A SADDLE AFFIXED TO THE END OF ONE OF SAIDSPOKES, A HANDLE INCLUDING A FIRST SHAFT MEANS EXTENDING UPWARD FROMSAID SADDLE TO RECEIVE THE HANDS OF AN OCCUPANT AND FOOT REST MEANSINCLUDING A SECOND SHAFT MEANS EXTENDING DOWNWARD FROM SAID SADDLE TORECEIVE THE FEET OF AN OCCUPANT, WHEREBY SAID OCCUPANT PROPEL SAIDCARROUSEL BY WEIGHT SHIFTS RESULTING FROM SIDE-TOSIDE MOVEMENT OF SAIDOCCUPANTS ON SAID SEAT MEANS.